GUATEMALA CITY, Nov 08 (IPS) - The Maya Indians of Central America and Mexico will have little to celebrate when the current era comes to an end on Dec. 21. The extreme poverty and marginalisation they face contrast sharply with the plans for lavish celebrations to lure tourists.

WASHINGTON, Nov 08 (IPS) - Calls are mounting for the world's big fishing powers to stop subsidising international fleets that use destructive methods like bottom trawling in foreign coastal waters, drastically reducing the catch of local artisanal fishers who use nets and fishing lines.

UNITED NATIONS, Nov 08 (IPS) - When a U.N. member state agrees to hold an international conference in its capital, the host country is not only offered the privilege of chairing the mega meeting but also given pride of place as the keynote opening speaker.

BAMENDA, Cameroon, Nov 08 (IPS) - In the small farming village of Sabongari, in Cameroon's North West Region, the need for kerosene to light bush lamps and petrol to run electric generators has been replaced by the need for something much cheaper and cleaner: sunshine.

BEIJING, Nov 08 (IPS) - As the northern Indian state of Rajasthan rolls out an ambitious universal healthcare plan, the discontent of the state's doctors stands in stark contrast to the joys of the 68 million people who will benefit from the scheme.

WASHINGTON, Nov 08 (IPS) - With President Barack Obama winning re-election, foreign policy analysts here are pondering whether his victory will translate into major changes from the rather cautious approach he followed overseas in his first term.

WASHINGTON, Nov 08 (IPS) - For decades, right-leaning white Christian evangelicals, currently at least 25 percent of the U.S. electorate, have been a significant and influential voting demographic.

WASHINGTON, Nov 08 (IPS) - Despite a bitterly and closely fought presidential campaign fuelled by record financial backing, analysts sifting through Tuesday's national election results here are forecasting a period of introspection for the opposition Republican Party that could ease the gridlock that has gummed up Washington politics in recent years.

ATLANTA, Georgia, Nov 07 (IPS) - In addition to the victories of the Democratic Party in retaining the presidency and the U.S. Senate, and of the Republican Party in retaining the U.S. House, there were major issue-related victories in Tuesday's election whose common threads are personal liberty and human rights.

RIO DE JANEIRO, Nov 07 (IPS) - Regarded by the mainstream media and opposition in Brazil as a landmark case in the fight against corruption, the Supreme Court trial of politicians and business leaders could have an exemplary effect if the justice system applies the same standard in other, less visible, cases.